Disclosure: Thanks to Busch Gardens for providing us with complimentary tickets for purposes of this review. As always all opinions are my own!
Are you going to be visiting the West Coast of Florida this summer? Check out Busch Gardens in Tampa, FL. Trust me, your kids will love you for it! We just returned from our first visit and it was really a fun trip!
Tips for success when visiting Busch Gardens Tampa:
Get to the park early –
Maybe this doesn’t have to be said, but there were no lines in the morning until we got close to lunch. My daughter loved doing her favorite roller coasters with no lines! There were nice options that were kid friendly and for moderate thrill seekers. Her favorite was the Sandserpent and Scorpion.
Tip: If you want to ensure quick lines all day, buy the Quick Queue add on to your tickets.
Book private tours ahead –
We would have loved to do some up close animal encounters, the Serengeti safari ride or animal feedings, but we did not know these needed to be booked ahead of time. They looked very cool so check them out before you go!
Hungry kids are cranky kids –
We were surprised that to find lunch, we had to walk quite a bit. There is a main food area in the front of the park. We assumed there would be one in each land, so with hungry kids, plan ahead. Don’t forget the fudge! It was delicious. There is a shop near the front of the park and a Starbucks to give the adults the boost they need after lunch!
Ride above the park –
Plan to end your day at the back of the park in Congo (hit water rides last including Congo River Rapids and Stanley Falls Flume) and take the Skyride back to the front of the park to exit. This was essential at the end of a hot day and the kids loved the views of all of the animals from high above the park!
We can’t wait to go back soon!
Overall Busch Gardens is a fun family trip especially if you are traveling to the West Coast of Florida. And if you have kids 5 and under, check out the Preschool Card, good for all of 2018. What is your favorite Florida theme park?
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Michelle is the proud working mother of two children, a sweet 8 year old girl and an energetic 5 year old boy. Living in South Florida with her husband Todd, they are always looking for places to vacation well with their family. They love being on the water and beach activities, from boating to jet skiing to snorkeling. As the kids get older it is important to find the balance between working hard and showing their kids the experiences of traveling to new places. This summer they started a United States map project where they can track all of the places they have visited as a family.
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